Drainage channel for a submersible camera with drainage ports on two surfaces

ABSTRACT

A camera system with six faces and a front housing is configured to capture images and audio content from external the camera body. The camera system includes an interior audio assembly protected from external environments by a waterproof membrane. The camera system includes drainage ports on the bottom face and the left face of the camera system to encourage moisture to drain from the system. A first drainage channel couples the internal audio assembly to the first drainage port on left face of the camera system and a second drainage channel couples the drainage port on the left face of the camera system to the drainage port on the bottom face of the camera system. A third drainage channel exists between the front face of the camera system and the front housing, the third drainage channel coupling the first and second drainage channels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/395,941, filed Sep. 16, 2016, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of Art

This description generally relates to an audio system of a submersiblecamera system, and more specifically to an audio system having adrainage channel for draining water away from microphones.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are becoming faster, more powerful, and cheaper toproduce. As the technology behind cameras has improved, a sub-set ofminiaturized high quality “action cameras” used in non-traditionalcamera environments has been developed. During use in some of theseenvironments, the camera may regularly be submerged and unsubmerged fromwater. However, audio performance may be impacted when the cameraemerges from water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a first isometric view of a submersible camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a second isometric view of a submersible camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a third isometric view of a submersible camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1D is a fourth isometric view of a submersible camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a first planar view of the front face of a submersible camerasystem with a drainage channel, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a second planar view of the front face of a submersiblecamera system with a drainage channel with the front cover removed,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2C is an isometric view of the front face of a submersible camerasystem with a drainage channel with the front cover removed, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a first isometric cross-sectional view of the drainagechannel connecting a speaker to the camera body of a submersible camerasystem, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a second isometric cross-sectional view of the drainagechannel of a submersible camera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a third cross-sectional view of the drainage channel of asubmersible camera system, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4E are various planar views of the drainage channelillustrating liquid being cleared from the microphone on the front faceof a submersible camera system, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures (FIGS.) and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

Configuration Overview

A camera system configured to capture images from external the camerabody via a lens assembly has a camera body. The camera body can includea bottom face, left face, right face, back face, top face, and frontface. The front face of the camera body is covered by a front housing.The camera system includes an internal audio assembly recessed below thefront face of the camera body. The internal audio system contains amicrophone configured to capture audio signals from sources external tothe camera body protected by a waterproof membrane that prevents waterfrom passing from external the camera body to the microphone.

The camera system has a plurality of drainage ports and drainagechannels to drain moisture from the camera system; specifically, todrain moisture away from the internal audio assembly and towards theexternal surfaces of the camera body.

In one embodiment, there are drainage ports on the left face and bottomface of the camera, each drainage port an opening to the drainagechannels. There are three drainage channels within the camera system forassisting in draining moisture from the camera system: a first channelcoupling the audio assembly to the drainage port on the left side of thechannel, a second channel coupling the drainage port on the left face ofthe camera to the drainage port on the bottom face of the camera, and athird channel that exists between the front face and the front housingthat couples the first and second channels.

In other embodiments, the drainage ports are on the left side and bottomside of the front surface of the camera; or, alternatively, the drainageports can be on any two surfaces of the camera body. In all embodiments,the drainage channels are configured such that moisture drains from theinternal audio assembly towards the drainage ports.

Additional embodiments are described in further detail below

Example Camera Configuration

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate an embodiment of an example camera 100 that mayinclude an audio systems for use in a submersible camera system. Thecamera 100 may comprise a camera body 102 having a camera lens 104structured on a front surface of the camera body, various indicators onthe front of the surface of the camera body 102 (such as LEDs, displays,and the like), various input mechanisms (such as buttons, switches, andtouch-screen mechanisms), and electronics (e.g., imaging electronics,power electronics, etc.) internal to the camera body 102 for capturingimages via the camera lens and/or performing other functions. The camera100 may be configured to capture images and video, and to store capturedimages and video for subsequent display or playback.

The camera 100 can include various indicators, including the LED lights106 and the LED display 108. The camera 100 can also include buttons 110configured to allow a user of the camera to interact with the camera, toturn the camera on, and to otherwise configure the operating mode of thecamera. The camera 100 can also include a microphone 112 configured toreceive and record audio signals in conjunction with recording videointegrated into the camera housing. The side of the camera 100 mayinclude an I/O interface 114. The camera may also include a loudspeaker116 system integrated into the camera housing. The front surface of thecamera may include two drainage ports as part of a drainage channel 118for the camera audio system. The camera can include an interactivedisplay 120 that allows for interaction with the camera whilesimultaneously displaying camera information on a surface of the camera.As illustrated, the camera 100 may include a lens 104 configured toreceive light incident upon the lens and to direct received light ontoan image sensor internal to the lens.

The camera 100 includes a camera exterior that encompasses and protectsthe camera's internal electronics, which are further described in latersections. The camera exterior includes 6 surfaces (i.e. a front face, aleft face, a right face, a back face, a top face, and a bottom face),wherein the exterior surfaces form a rectangular cuboid. Furthermore,both the front and rear surfaces of the camera 100 are substantiallyrectangular in shape. The camera 100 can be made of a rigid materialsuch as plastic, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass. Additional camerafeatures, such as the features described above, may be affixed to anexterior of the camera. In some embodiments, the camera described hereinincludes features other than those described below. For example, insteadof a single interface button, the camera can include additional buttonsor different interface features, such as a multiple microphone openingsto receive voice or other audio commands.

Integrated Drainage Channel

An integrated drainage channel for use in a submersible camera systemmay comprise a microphone system and a drainage channel to remove waterfrom the microphone system when not submerged. For example, themicrophone system may include a microphone internal to the camera bodyand separated from external environments by a waterproof membranecoupled to the camera body while still allowing translation ofvibrational sound waves through the waterproof membrane. The drainagechannel may be configured such that it is internal to the frontprotective cover of the camera system.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an embodiment of an integrated drainage channelthat may be used in a submersible camera system 100. FIG. 2A illustratesa planar view of the front surface of the submersible camera with thefront housing 210 coupled to the camera body 102. FIG. 2B illustrates aplanar view of the submersible camera with the front housing decoupledand removed from the camera body 102, showing components of theintegrated drainage channel internal to the camera housing. FIG. 2Cillustrates an isometric view of the drainage channel with the fronthousing removed, showing components of the integrated drainage channelsinternal to the camera housing.

Front Housing

The camera system may comprise a front housing 210 covering the frontfacing (e.g. out of the plane of the page in the orientation of FIG. 2A)surface of the camera system. The front housing can have a front sideand a back side (e.g. out of the plane and into the plane of the page,respectively, in the orientation of FIG. 2A). The back side of the fronthousing 210 couples to the front surface 230 of the camera body 102 suchthat their respective edges are substantially aligned. The front housing210 is further coupled to the camera body 102 such that the interfacebetween the back side of the front housing and the front surface of thecamera body 102 is substantially flush. In some embodiments, theinterface between the back side of the front housing 210 and the frontsurface 230 of the camera housing 102 may include areas in which theinterface is not substantially flush (i.e. areas where the front housing210 is slightly raised from the front surface 230 of the camera body102, or areas where the front surface 230 of the camera body 102 isslightly recessed from the back side of the front housing 210). Thefront housing 210 may be made of similar rigid materials to the camerabody 102 such as plastic, rubber, aluminum, steel, fiberglass, or acombination of materials. The front housing 210 may be coupled to thecamera body 102 by an adhesive, a screw, a latch, or any othercomponents or materials that may securely fasten one surface to another.

Internal Components

Internal to the front housing are components making up at least onedrainage channel 250 configured to remove excess water from a microphoneport 220 internal to the front surface 230 of the camera: a firstdrainage port 240 a, a second drainage port 240 b, a first drainagechannel 250 a, a second drainage channel 250 b, a third drainage channel250 c, and a housing adhesive layer 260.

Microphone System

In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone system is recessed belowthe front surface of the camera body 230. The microphone port 220 of themicrophone system is orthogonal to the front surface 230 and may couplethe microphone system to the external environment via the drainagechannels 250 and drainage ports 240. The microphone port 220 can be theportion of the waterproof membrane protecting the microphone exposed tothe external environment and can be substantially circular in shape. Insome embodiments, the microphone port 220 may be surrounded by a supportstructure configured to prevent structural compromise of the microphoneport.

Drainage Ports

The drainage ports can be configured to allow for the draining of excessmoisture from the camera system. Additionally, the drainage ports 240may be structured to allow sound waves to enter the front housing 210and propagate to the microphone system internal to the camera body viathe microphone port 220. The first drainage port 240 a may be located onthe left surface of the camera body 102 (e.g. on the right side of thecamera 100 when viewed in the orientation of FIG. 2B). The firstdrainage port 240 a may comprise an indentation or opening in the camerabody 102 such that when the camera body 102 is coupled to the fronthousing 210 the first drainage port 240 a provides an opening from theexternal environment to the drainage channels 250 internal the fronthousing 210. The second drainage port 240 b can be located on the bottomsurface of the camera body (e.g. on the bottom side of the camera whenviewed in the orientation of FIG. 2B). The second drainage port 240 bmay be an indentation or opening in the camera body 102 such that whencamera body 102 is coupled to the front housing 210 the second drainageport 240 b provides an opening from the external environment to thedrainage channels 250 internal the camera housing. Conversely, thedrainage ports 240 can be an indentation or opening in the camerahousing 210 that couple to the drainage channels 250 when the camerahousing is coupled to the front surface of the camera body. In someembodiments, the first drainage port 240 a may be on the left side ofthe front surface 230 of the camera body 102 (e.g. on the right side ofthe front surface when viewed in the orientation of FIG. 2B) and thesecond drainage port 240 b may be on the bottom side of the frontsurface 230 of the camera body 102 (e.g. on the bottom side of the frontsurface 230 when viewed in the orientation of FIG. 2B).

In some embodiments, the drainage ports 240 can be formed at theinterface between the camera body 102 and the front housing 210. Theremay be at least one gap in the interface between the front housing 210and the camera body 102 that forms an opening that can act as thedrainage ports 240. In other embodiments, the drainage ports 240 mayinclude more than one indentation, opening, or interface gap on eachface to allow for increased drainage from the internal drainage channels250.

Drainage Channels

The drainage channels 250 internal to the camera housing may bestructured to allow sound waves to propagate towards the microphone port220 internal to the camera body and allow for moisture internal tocamera system 100 to drain from the camera via the drainage ports 240.

The first drainage channel 250 a can be a recession in the front surface230 of the camera body 102 and may include a channel coupling a recessedarea around the microphone port 220 to the first drainage port 240 a.The first drainage channel can have a top side and a bottom side (e.g.upwards and downwards, respectively, viewed in the orientation of FIG.2B). In the illustrated example embodiment, the first drainage channel250 a includes a first portion having an area similarly shaped to acircle coupled to a second portion having a substantially rectangulararea. The circle may have the microphone port 220 at its center and maybe more deeply recessed below the surface of the camera than therectangular area. The rectangular area may be coupled to the circulararea such that the rectangular area couples the first drainage port 240a to the circular area.

The second drainage channel 250 b can include a recession in the frontsurface 230 of the camera body 102 and may couple the first drainageport 240 a to the second drainage port 240 b. The second drainagechannel can have a top side and a right side (e.g. upwards and to theleft, respectively, when viewed in the orientation of FIG. 2B). In theillustrated embodiment, the second drainage channel 250 b can include arecessed surface adjacent and proximal to the perimeter of the camerabody 102 between the first drainage port 240 a and second drainage port240 b. The second drainage channel can follow the perimeter of thecamera 100 from the right side of the front surface to the bottom sideof the front surface, when viewed in the orientation of FIG. 2B. Inother embodiments, the second drainage channel can follows the edges ofthe camera and connects the right surface of the camera to the bottomsurface of the camera.

The third drainage channel 250 c may be a space formed between the frontsurface 230 of the camera and the back side of the front housing 210. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the third drainage channel 250 c can be acavity formed between the front surface 230 of the camera body 102 andthe back side of the front housing 210. The perimeter of the cavity canbe the interface between the right side of the front surface 230 of thecamera body 102 and the front housing 210, the interface between thebottom side of the front surface 230 of the camera body 102 and thefront housing 210, the interface between the left side of the fronthousing 210 adhesive 260 (e.g. right side of the adhesive in theorientation of FIG. 2B) and the front housing, and the interface betweenthe top side of the first drainage channel 250 a and the front housing.The area of the third drainage channel 250 c can be proximal to theinterface between the bottom and left surfaces of the camera body 102and the front housing 210 between the first drainage port 240 a and thesecond drainage port 240 b (e.g. a bottom right area in the orientationof FIG. 2B). The third drainage channel 250 c may be formed by at leastsome of the area of the front surface of the camera 230 that is notcovered by the housing adhesive layer 260.

The third drainage channel 250 c may assist in draining moisture fromthe first drainage port 240 a to the second drainage port 240 b usingcapillary forces of the moisture between the back side of the fronthousing 210 and front surface 230 of the camera body 102. In someembodiments, the third drainage channel 250 c includes a hydrophobiccoating on the front surface 230 of the camera body in which theadhesive layer 260 is not present. In still other embodiments, the thirddrainage channel 250 c includes a hydrophobic coating on the innersurface of the front housing 210. The hydrophobic coatings can improvedrainage of the system by preventing moisture from adhering to thedrainage channels 250.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate several cross-sectional views of the drainagechannels 250 in the camera system 100. FIGS. 3A and 3B show andembodiment of the first drainage channel 250 a coupling the internalmicrophone port 220 to the first drainage port 240 a via a recessed areain the front surface 230 of the camera. The microphone port 220 iscoupled to the first drainage channel 250 a. The first portion of thefirst drainage channel 250 a is the area directly above the microphoneport 220 (e.g. towards the top of the page in the orientation of FIG.3B). The second portion of the first drainage channel 250 a is distal tothe first portion and couples the first drainage port 240 a to thesecond portion. The first drainage channel 250 a couples the microphoneport 220 to the first drainage port 240 a. In the illustratedembodiment, the first drainage port 240 a is a gap between the back sideof the front housing and the front surface of the camera body formed bya recession in the front surface.

FIG. 3C shows an embodiment of the second and third drainage channels250 b and 250 c. The second drainage channel 250 b may be the cavitynear the left surface (e.g. the right side in the orientation of FIG.3C) and bottom surface (not shown) of the camera body 102 coupling thefirst drainage port 240 a to the second drainage port (not shown). Thesecond drainage channel 250 b is recessed from the front surface 230 ofthe camera body 102 proximal and adjacent to the perimeter of the camerabody from the first drainage port 240 a to the second drainage port (notshown).

The third drainage channel can be the cavity where there is no interfacebetween the front surface 230 of the camera body and the back side ofthe front housing 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the third drainagechannel is between the bottom side of the first drainage channel (notshown), the right side of the adhesive 260, the right side of the seconddrainage channel (e.g. to the left in the orientation of FIG. 3C), andthe top side of the second drainage channel (not shown).

Drainage

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate the process of water draining from the microphoneport 220 when the camera 100 is removed from a wet environment. FIG. 4Aillustrates the camera 200 submerged in water and shows the drainagechannels 250 filled with water. In FIG. 4B, the camera 200 emerges fromthe water and water in the channels 250 between the front surface of thecamera body and the back side of the front housing begins to flow outthrough the first drainage port and the second drainage port and thesecond drainage port 240 b via gravity. As shown in FIG. 4C, after theinitial draining, water will no longer exit through the first drainageport and the first drainage port acts as an inlet for initial air toaccelerate the draining process. FIG. 4D illustrates the water clearingfrom the drainage channels 250, the drainage ports 240, and/or themicrophone 230 as air continues to enter the first drainage port 240 aand water continues to exit the second drainage port 240 b. In FIG. 4Ethe drainage port and channels are cleared, thus allowing the microphoneto resume normal acoustic performance.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4A-4E, the first drainage channelclears moisture first, followed by the second drainage channel, followedby the third drainage channel. In various embodiments, this process canoccur in any order depending on the orientation of the camera and theenvironment that the camera is in.

Alternate Embodiments

While the described embodiments define the orientations of surfaces forthe microphone system, the drainage ports, the drainage channels, andthe front housing, it is obvious to one knowledgeable in the art thatthese surfaces are arbitrarily defined and can be any surface of thecamera so long as the connective drainage channels and drainage portsare appropriately configured to connect components of the camera asdescribed.

While the described embodiments dictate moisture draining from thesecond drainage port, it is obvious to one knowledgeable in the art thatthis direction is arbitrarily defined in the specification, i.e.drainage can occur at any orientation of the camera to either the firstor the second drainage port.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs asdisclosed from the principles herein. Thus, while particular embodimentsand applications have been illustrated and described, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the preciseconstruction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications,changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in theart, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methodand apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera system comprising: a camera bodycomprising a bottom face, left face, right face, back face, top face,and front face, the front face of the camera body covered by a fronthousing; an image sensor assembly coupled to a lens assembly to detectand capture images from sources external to the camera body; an internalaudio assembly recessed below the front face of the camera bodycomprising: a microphone configured to capture audio signals fromsources external to the camera body; and a waterproof membraneconfigured to prevent moisture from passing from external the camerabody to the microphone; a plurality of drainage ports configured todrain moisture from the camera system at least including: a firstdrainage port comprising an opening on the left face of the camera body;and a second drainage port comprising an opening on the bottom face ofthe camera body; a plurality of drainage channels recessed below theplane of the front face at least including: a first drainage channelcoupling the audio assembly to the first drainage port; and a seconddrainage channel coupling the first drainage port to the second drainageport, the second drainage channel proximal to an edge of the camera bodyadjacent to the left face and the bottom face; and wherein the fronthousing is coupled to the front face of the camera body, the fronthousing structured such that a third drainage channel exists between thefront face and the front housing, the third drainage channel couplingthe first and the second drainage channels to drain additional moisturefrom the camera system.
 2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of drainage ports each comprise indentations in the camerabody that allows propagation of sound waves from external to the camerabody to the drainage channels.
 3. The camera system of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of drainage ports each comprise a gap formed between thecamera body and the front housing.
 4. The camera system of claim 1,wherein the front housing is coupled to the front face of the camerabody with an adhesive.
 5. The camera system of claim 4, wherein there isan absence of adhesive localized to a first area of the front face, suchthat the third drainage channel is above the first area.
 6. The camerasystem of claim 5, wherein the first area is coated with a hydrophobicelement.
 7. The camera system of claim 6, wherein an inner surface ofthe front housing is coated with a hydrophobic element.
 8. A camerasystem comprising: a camera body comprising at least a front face with aleft side and a bottom side covered by a front housing; an internalaudio assembly recessed below the front face of the camera bodycomprising: a microphone configured to capture audio signals fromsources external to the camera body; and a waterproof membraneconfigured to prevent moisture from passing from external the camerabody to the microphone; a plurality of drainage ports configured todrain moisture from the camera system at least including: a firstdrainage port comprising an opening on the left side of the front faceof the camera body; and a second drainage port comprising an opening onthe bottom side of the front face of the camera body; a plurality ofdrainage channels recessed below the plane of the front face at leastincluding: a first drainage channel coupling the audio assembly to thefirst drainage port; and a second drainage channel coupling the firstdrainage port to the second drainage port, the second drainage channelproximal to an edge of the camera body adjacent to the bottom side andthe left side of the front face; and wherein the front housing iscoupled to the front face of the camera body, the front housingstructured such that a third drainage channel exists between the frontface and the front housing, the third drainage channel coupling thefirst and the second drainage channels to drain additional moisture fromthe camera system.
 9. The camera system of claim 8, wherein theplurality of drainage ports each comprise indentations in the camerabody that allows propagation of sound waves from external to the camerabody to the drainage channels.
 10. The camera system of claim 8, whereinthe plurality of drainage ports each comprise a gap formed between thecamera body and the front housing.
 11. The camera system of claim 8,wherein the front housing is coupled to the front face of the camerabody with an adhesive.
 12. The camera system of claim 11, wherein thereis an absence of adhesive localized to a first area of the front face,such that the third drainage channel is above the first area.
 13. Thecamera system of claim 12, wherein the first area is coated with ahydrophobic element.
 14. The camera system of claim 12, wherein an innersurface of the front housing is coated with a hydrophobic element.
 15. Acamera system comprising: a camera body comprising a plurality of faceswith at least one face covered by a front housing; an internal audioassembly recessed below a first face of the camera body; a plurality ofdrainage ports configured to drain moisture from the camera system atleast including: a first drainage port comprising an opening on a secondface of the camera body; and a second drainage port comprising anopening on a third face of the camera body; a plurality of drainagechannels: a first drainage channel coupling the audio assembly to thefirst drainage port; and a second drainage channel coupling the firstdrainage port to the second drainage port; and wherein the front housingis coupled to the first face of the camera body, the front housingstructured such that a third drainage channel exists between the firstface and the front housing.
 16. The camera system of claim 15, whereinthe plurality of drainage ports each comprise indentations in the camerabody that allows propagation of sound waves from external to the camerabody to the drainage channels.
 17. The camera system of claim 15,wherein the plurality of drainage ports each comprise a gap formedbetween the camera body and the front housing.
 18. The camera system ofclaim 15, wherein the front housing is coupled to the front face of thecamera body with an adhesive.
 19. The camera system of claim 18, whereinthere is an absence of adhesive localized to a first area of the frontface, such that the third drainage channel is above the first area. 20.The camera system of claim 19, wherein the first area is coated with ahydrophobic element.